The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL LUKE REINER” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Senate section on pages S1932 on March 25, 2019.
The Department handles nearly all infrastructure crisscrossing the country. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department should be privatized to save money, reduce congestion and spur innovation.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO MAJOR GENERAL LUKE REINER
Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the service of the adjutant general of the Wyoming National Guard, MG Luke Reiner, to the State of Wyoming and our Nation.
In 1982, Major General Reiner enlisted in the Army National Guard. As a born leader, Luke was commissioned as an officer in 1986 and subsequently joined the Wyoming Army National Guard in 1987. Coming to Wyoming was the best decision of his career.
Major General Reiner wore many hats and served at every level of the Wyoming Army National Guard. From his first job as the counter fire officer of the 115th Field Artillery Brigade to the executive officer of the 2-300 Field Artillery Battalion, he rose to take command of the 115th Fires Brigade. Luke's operational experience included a deployment to Kuwait where he commanded Camp New York in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Governor Matt Mead appointed Luke Reiner as adjutant general, and he took command on April 1, 2011. Luke and I got to know each other very well over years as we worked together to secure funding to modernize the C-130H fleet. Major General Reiner was the Wyoming Guard's advocate in Washington at the National Guard Bureau and the Pentagon. He frequently traveled back to Washington and served on various National Guard committees and counsels.
Every Thanksgiving, I travel overseas to visit with Wyoming servicemen and women deployed around the world. Governor Mead, Major General Reiner, and I spent Thanksgiving with the 133rd Engineering Company stationed in Bahrain in 2013. It was an honor to eat Thanksgiving dinner with these young men and women alongside Major General Reiner.
On March 28, 2019, Luke will officially retire as Wyoming's adjutant general and hand the colors over to BG Gregory Porter. Major General Reiner will remain in Wyoming. I look forward to continue working closely with him in his role as director of the Wyoming Department of Transportation.
Luke epitomizes the ``Code of the West.'' Live each day with courage. Take pride in your work. Do what needs to be done. We thank him for all he has done to keep Wyoming and our Nation safe.
Finally, I want to thank Luke's wife Devonna and his two daughters Heather and Holly for allowing Luke to serve Wyoming and this great Nation. We are forever thankful.
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